President Alberto Fernández questioned on Monday those who, from a “bipolar” perspective, criticize the negotiations and agreements reached during the last week with China and Russia and pointed out that the world in which Argentina must live and develop is that of the ” multilateralism”.
In a press conference in which Télam participated together with the main national media, the Head of State made a balance regarding the first two destinations of the current tour, Russia and China, and made known his expectations about his visit to Barbados.
Accompanied by Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero and government spokesperson Gabriela Cerrutti, Fernández spoke with the press for 30 minutes in which he insisted on the need to adopt a multilateral vision of geopolitics.
Asked about alleged criticism of his statements regarding Argentina’s dependence on the United States and the Monetary Fund, the President pointed out that he did not receive “any public statement” from any US official, but he did say he had seen “many pages ” who spoke of the subject in that sense. “I did not see any public statement questioning what I said. It is a truism truth. The United States is the main shareholder of the Monetary Fund. What did I say that was new? I said something we all know. It’s something I’ve always said. I told (Vladimir) Putin, it’s something I always do.” pointed.
In the same sense, he said that Argentina has to aspire “to have serious, respectful relations, as with any country in the world.” “We not only believe it, we practice it. If I find in Russia and China willingness to improve relations, welcome. If the United States wants to improve them, welcome. The world is a multilaterality, in that world we must live and develop”he added.
Fernández said that in Argentina “they do not understand that the world is the other” and gave as an example the meeting that, in recent hours, the Russian president had with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to work on the problem of Ukraine: “Europe is doing everything in its power to solve Ukraine, nobody sees that bipolarity. It’s not that Macron became a communist”.
Fernández assured that the agreement with the IMF will have “majority” support from the ruling party
President Alberto Fernández vindicated the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and assured that at the time of being discussed in the National Congress the project will receive “majority support” from the Front of All (FdT).
From Barbados, where he made the last stop on the tour that took him to visit Russia and China, the head of state held a press conference in which he pointed out the international accompaniment of the understanding.
And he was confident of getting the support of most of the ruling coalition, thus ruling out any negative effect of Máximo Kirchner’s resignation as head of the FdT deputies caucus.
Fernández was consulted regarding the dialogue with Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and said he had done it for the last time while he was in Beijing: “We continue to work together to put Argentina on its feet. I respect all positions (on the agreement), but it is my turn to be President.”
“We are talking about general issues. I have no doubt that our force will accompany the majority,” he added.
Regarding the agreementFernández clarified that both Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “expressed their satisfaction” with the understanding and that, for his part, regarding the next due date with the multilateral organization and the possibility of a delay in the agreement, Fernández ruled out an intervention by Russia and China in the IMF board to obtain a “waiver” of the payments .
“You are speculating with the times (of the maturities), but that issue has already been arranged with the Fund”replied the President.
Returning to his statements regarding Argentina’s dependency on the IMF, the president targeted those who accused him of having “bitten the hand” of those who helped him, in reference to the United States. “Europe helped me, Russia, China, the Latin American countries helped me, and that’s where I stop. I do know who did a lot for the loan to be granted”counterattacked.
In this respect, he highlighted that both the meeting with Putin Y the one organized with the Chinese president, Xi Jinpingwere longer than expected and carried out in a “pleasant” tone.
“Europe helped me, Russia, China, the Latin American countries helped me, and that’s where I stop. I do know who did a lot for the loan to be granted” Alberto Fernandez
He also confirmed that in both cases the Special Drawing Rights and the Currency Swap with China were discussed and he was confident of achieving progress on both issues.
He also pondered the agreement reached with Beijing for Argentina to enter the Strip and the Silk Road.
Regarding his visit to Barbados, which began this Monday and will reach its highest point on Tuesday when he meets with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and with representatives of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), he stated that it is a self-imposed activity. “The Caribbean is experiencing a very complex moment as a result of climate change. We Latin Americans do not pay the attention that the Caribbean deserves. The trip gives a sign of fellowship, demonstrates the interest I have in the subject”, finished.
